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If Israel and Iran Have Military Conflict, Americans Say US Should Stay Out

A new poll finds that only one in four Americans favors Israel conducting a military strike against Iran's nuclear program. Seven in ten (69%) favor the US and other major powers continuing to pursue negotiations with Iran, a position that is supported by majorities of Republicans (58%), Democrats (79%) and Independents (67%)....

The Role of Dreams and Dream-like Experiences in Spiritual Emergence Processes

29th Annual International Association for the Study of Dreams Conference

22 - 26 June, 2012

Doubletree Hotel

Berkeley Marina, Berkeley, CA

In 1992, David Lukoff and a team of psychiatrists advanced religious/spiritual problems as conditions that may be the focus of therapy. One such problem/condition has been termed spiritual emergence, according to Stanislav and Christina Grof (1989) in their seminal work on the topic. The research question in the dissertation on which this workshop is based was, “What is the role of dreams and dream-like experiences (DLEs) in spiritual emergence processes?” This workshop addresses the question by examining contemporary examples of the phenomena plus transpersonal psychology literature, from a Jungian hermeneutical perspective and through participant discussion. The need for this workshop is shown by the relative lack of peer-reviewed literature on the use of dream work for religious or spiritual problems compared to the volumes written on dream interpretation. Implications of the workshop experience may be applicable to spiritually emerging populations and to therapy where dream work is used, particularly Jungian analysis.

The spiritual diversity of therapy populations demands what David Lukoff calls spiritual competency. When spiritual issues arise, dream work may help identify and treat problems from a spiritually informed perspective. Outcomes expected from workshop attendance include expanded respect for religious and spiritual diversity, the ability to differentiate spiritual emergency v. spiritual emergence, and an understanding of the role of dreams and dream-like experiences in spiritual emergence processes. Attendees will discuss the use of dreams in psychotherapy, the need to accurately differentiate religious problems from hyper-religiosity, and the importance of avoiding stereotypes. Specific issues will include helping to de-stigmatize spiritual problems and spiritually oriented patients, aiding psycho-spiritual development, and dealing with distressing experiences of loss or questioning of faith or spiritual values. Experiential exercises will include work in small groups, the sharing of spiritual dreams, and discussion on how a particular dream may contribute to psycho-spiritual growth.

Specific Methods or Techniques to be utilized during the workshop include activities for participation such as use of vignettes, breaking into dyads for role plays, and group discussions. The approximate time planned for didactic introduction is 30 minutes of the 90-minute workshop.

The aims of this presentation are to increase personal self-awareness and emotional growth of attendees; increase attendees' knowledge about dream research based on Jungian theory; train licensed mental health professionals and graduate students about using dreams in clinical practice; increase psychospiritual awareness. This workshop is intended for all audiences.

Greetings from UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center (GGSC)! The GGSC studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that foster a compassionate, thriving, and resilient society.

GGSC announces the first Science of Meaningful Life seminar this spring, featuring Dr. Kristin Neff, the foremost researcher on self-compassion.

On March 23, our Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience seminar will provide an introductory overview of self-compassion, weaving together lecture, scientific research, video presentations, small group exercises, and discussion. Members of your organization may also attend the seminar via webcast for a reduced fee.

Learn about registration at greatergood.berkeley.edu

Please feel free to email me or call if you have any questions, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Dassie's colleagues, Hal and Sidra Stone, the originators of Voice Dialogue, commented on the Voice Dialogue Anthology: We feel a sense of deep satisfaction as we look through the articles that are included in this Voice Dialogue Anthology. For us, it represents the flowering of a garden that was planted many years ago and has come into full maturity, a garden that gives food for the mind, the body, and the soul. It is truly a time to enjoy what has grown up around us. Each of the twenty contributors (see below) has taken our work and built upon it - some working exclusively with the basic teachings and others combining it with other modalities or carrying it into entirely new fields - and each has created something new and wonderful. We feel privileged to have been a part of their journeys and honored that our work has contributed to their own work and lives. Dassie Hoffman has given a truly remarkable gift to the international Voice Dialogue community by creating this valuable collection of reference material.

I am so sorry to tell you that Jeannie Achterberg died this afternoon. Jeannie has been a dedicated faculty member at Saybrook for many, many years. We will miss her loving and wise spirit.

Please join with me in keeping Jeannie and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will be planning ways to mourn her passing. We are still in shock and don’t have all the details surrounding her death or plans to honor her worked out. As soon as we know more we will be in touch.

It saddens me to write to you about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Arne Collen. Arne passed away early this morning, surrounded by his family, including his two children Kristin and John. He delighted in his family and had a special spot in his heart for his little granddaughter Jenna. We learned of this terribly sad news just hours ago and our hearts go out to his loved ones.

Arne has been a member of our faculty since 1978 and most recently served as Director of Research. He has deeply touched the lives of so many of our students and colleagues over the years. Willson Williams, co-Chair of the PHS faculty, knew Arne well. “Arne was one of the most gentle and kind people I have ever known. He had a gentle soul. He was thoughtful and caring and thought of others before himself. He had a generous and kind spirit.”

As for his scholarly work, Arne said, “My professional identity is captured in the phrase ‘research methodologist’ and my specialty is research methodologies for human inquiry. Rather rare and unusual; albeit, it is my reality and primary passion that has sustained me over the course of my professional career.”
An accomplished artist, in the past few years Arne passions have centered on the arts – photography, lithograph, print-making, making short films, and creating three-dimensional art from found objects. He delighted in his art projects, and took joy in creating “something from nothing”; his ecological consciousness infused all of his artwork. His home in Santa Fe was filled with massive collages of found paper that inspired the spirit. Evidence of his prolific talent made his home in Santa Fe an artistic haven.

There is no memorial planned for Arne, but his son John is working on finishing an arts-based website that Arne had started that will chronicle his life’s journey for the past 40 years. Arne called the website “A reservoir of humanness to share with those who care.” When this site is finished and ready to view, we will share that information with you.

If you wish to send a card or letter of sympathy to his family, please send it directly to Saybrook and we will make sure that it is passed on to them.

We would like to honor the wishes of Arne’s family in terms of expressions of sympathy such as flowers or donations to one of his favorite charities. We will be in touch with his family in the next few days to explore what might be most meaningful to them.

A plan to serve Arne’s students is in place and the transition should be smooth for those students.

Sincerely,

Mark
We have created an online memorial for Arne Collen (use link below) as part of the Saybrook Forum. This is a place to gather and share your comments. Please feel free to add your own memories of Arne. These will be shared with his family.

being human: What does it mean to you? Conference scheduled for San Francisco, March 24, 2012 at the Palace of Fine Arts

Everyday, fresh insights from science and philosophy shed new light on the processes of human experience – the how of feeling, thinking, and believing – and invite us to redefine who we are as human beings.

Pioneers on the frontier of human understanding will guide an exciting exploration of what it means to be human.

Dr. Treichler started writing in 2010. He is a former Marine Corps fighter pilot (where he retired as a Colonel), an airline Captain flying throughout the world, and a labor leader. He acquired a Ph.D. at Saybrook University, and travels widely. Books to date are a WW II biography I do Solemnly Swear, in print and Kindle; a series of three novels Cold War Warriors, Shadow Warriors, and Crusader Warriors in print and Kindle; and Crimson Fields: Civil War Biography of Captain James Madison Treichler. Another Civil War biography Cold Steel - Raw Courage: Civil War Biography of Major John Dance will be out shortly.

Dr. Kirkpatrick is a licensed psychologist and is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.

From Amazon.com:
"Forensic psychologist Dr. Calder Miro and Homicide Detective Kenilworth Brown ride again. Following their path from his first novel — Alienation of Affection ­— Kirkpatrick’s Trafficking Death takes the reader into a suspenseful, psychological page-turner about the international crimes of human trafficking and human slavery. Their trail leads them into the heartless world of a corporate psychopath. This book is some serious heart-pounding action."